With so many ecolabelled products available, and the upcoming release of the ISO20400 International Standard for Sustainable Procurement, there has never been a better time to develop a solid sustainable procurement policy. Soon, we’ll be announcing a new way for companies to demonstrate their leadership in making purchasing decisions with positive impacts.

We’ll be asking business and government to step up over the coming months and publicly commit to procuring for people and planet. Will you be one of them? Watch this space!

Sustainable development efforts worldwide have achieved some success in many sectors, including the built environment. Several key trends will strengthen the demand for sustainable development over the next 15 years.

Whether you’re on the supply or demand side, learn how to achieve credible and creative outcomes for a sustainable future when GECA's Kate Harris speaks on the topic at DesignBUILD this coming May.

DesignBUILD is Australia's ultimate business platform for architecture, building, construction and design industries. In 2017, the expo returns to Sydney in the brand new International Convention Centre, Sydney, Darling Harbour, from 3-5 May. Read more.

ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo Australia 2017 will take place 9 and 10 May 2017, in Melbourne, Victoria as the only dedicated event for the cleaning and hygiene industry in Australia. This two-day Expo will be host to the top tier Australian manufacturers and suppliers showcasing the latest in cleaning technology and creative innovation through product demonstration and expert presentations on their stands.

We'll be exhibitng at Info Booth Stool A, and Kate will be speaking at 10:30 on Tuesday 9 May on the importance and demand for green certified cleaning products and services. Come along and discover the benefits of using (or manufacturing) certified sustainable products. Read more.

It’s been a month packed full of events for GECA!

It was fantastic to see a growing interest and a strong focus on sustainability across all of these events. We’d especially like to thank our wonderful licensees for contributing samples and brochures for us to showcase at our stands – and thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello, or attended a GECA presentation! Read about the highlights here.

Images (clockwise from top left): The sustainable pop-up tiny house from The New Joneses at the HIA Sydney Home Show; giving gifts to delegates at Green Cities; Kate's well-attended workshop at Sydney Build 2017; some of the GECA certified products on display at Total Facilities.)

Australian library fitout and supply company, Quantum Libraries, has recently achieved certification with GECA for a staggering 598 products, substantially increasing the overall range of GECA certified products available.

“We’re thrilled to have Quantum Libraries on board with GECA, and to see such a strong commitment to creating truly sustainable products,” said GECA’s CEO, Kate Harris. “Even the smallest, simplest components of their systems have been designed with sustainability in mind, and it’s fantastic to see that level of dedication.” Read more.

After 4 years of development involving 52 countries and 11 international organisations, ISO20400, the first international standard on sustainable procurement, will be published in mid April 2017.

Join other like-minded CEOs, Sustainability and Procurement Professionals from the public and private sectors for the official launching of ISO20400 in New South Wales on 31 May (Victoria's similar event to be confirmed). You will hear all you need to know from those who built the standard and also from those who are already benefiting from using it. Short presentations will be followed by cocktail networking drinks. Don't miss the opportunity to network with sustainable procurement leaders! Read more.

The evidence that ‘green’ offices have a significant positive impact on the health and productivity of workers continues to mount.

We know that workers take fewer sick days, experience better health and work more productively in a workspace where buildings are designed, run and maintained with health and well-being in mind. Now, we also know that brainpower is better, too. Studies have shown that cognitive functioning is significantly better for workers in ‘green’ offices.

A 2016 study tested the cognitive function of workers in simulated office environments: a conventional office environment that mirrored typical ‘non-green’ buildings, a ‘green’ low-VOC environment, and a ‘green +’ environment with higher ventilation rates. Read more.

GECA speaks to Bec van Reesema from cleaning service providers Zippy Cleaning and Maintenance Services about what certification means to them.

Why did you choose to get GECA certification?

It makes us accountable for our resource consumption as well as the types of products and services we choose to offer. We chose it to assure our existing and potential customers that the services we provide, and the products that we use to deliver them, are safe and healthy for all property occupants and contribute towards reducing our overall impact on the environment. Read more.

Workstation designer and manufacturer Bevisco has expanded its GECA certified range, adding the Trio, Alpha and Motion to their list of products. These are all certified under the Furniture, Fittings and Foam standard, and would be excellent choices for an office fitout.

Sustainable Living Fabrics are leaders in environmental fabrics for upholstery and vertical surfaces. They've recently added three new products to their GECA certified offerings, all of which are covered under the Textiles and Leather standard.

Sustainable Coastline (pictured - more colours are available), Sustainable Director, and Sustainable Operator have all been added to their license, offering a greater range of colours and textures. See all the available certified options here.

Time is running out to enter the 4th International Green Interior Awards! This is your unique opportunity to gain global recognition for interior spaces or products you created that are healthy for people and our planet. Open to interior designers, fit-out designers, interior stylists, architects, manufacturers, suppliers, associated professionals and students.

GECA is proud to be an Industry Supporter of the Awards and would like to wish all entrants the best of luck! Entries close 11 May. Read more.